A planning application has been submitted for a major new employment site in Mid Wales which is expected to create more than 370 jobs and deliver a significant economic boost to the region.

The proposals for CymruTech Park, next to Newtown College, have been developed by Asbri Planning and Hiraeth Architecture on behalf of Powys County Council and NPTC Group of Colleges.

The scheme includes plans for an advanced manufacturing centre, modern business units, and a new Green Skills Academy aimed at supporting innovation, skills development and growth in green technologies and advanced manufacturing.

The hybrid planning application includes full details for the first phase of development, including the site access road, the Green Skills Academy and initial business units, alongside outline permission for future phases across the 4.75-hectare site. This approach would allow the development to be delivered in stages.

The site has already been identified in the Local Development Plan as a key employment location for Newtown.

The proposed site plan
The proposed site plan (PCC)

As part of the planning process, the proposals were subject to a statutory pre-application consultation, alongside wider public engagement including an event at The Hafren.

Residents raised a range of issues during the consultation, including concerns over traffic, environmental impact and the proximity of development to nearby homes.

In response, the plans have been refined, with changes including an updated landscape strategy featuring additional tree planting and screening, particularly around the Green Skills Academy. Existing site features, including a community orchard, are also set to be retained.

The application is supported by a range of technical assessments covering transport, noise, flood risk and ecology.

Cabinet member Cllr Glyn Preston said: “CymruTech Park represents a major investment in the future of Mid Wales – creating high-quality jobs, supporting local businesses and providing new opportunities for people to build their careers here in Powys.

“We know how important it is to retain talent in our communities and this development is about giving people the skills, training and employment opportunities they need without having to leave the area.”

He added: “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views during the consultation. The feedback we received has helped us refine the proposals, strengthen the design and ensure we are taking account of the issues that matter most to residents.”

Cllr Glyn Preston (right) at the engagement event held at The Hafren, with the Leader of Powys County Council, Cllr Jake Berriman (centre) and Cllr David Selby, the previous Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and representative for Newtown Central and South on the council
Cllr Glyn Preston (right) at the engagement event held at The Hafren, with the Leader of Powys County Council, Cllr Jake Berriman (centre) and Cllr David Selby, the previous Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and representative for Newtown Central and South on the council (Cllr Glyn Preston (right) at the engagement event held at The Hafren, with the Leader of Powys County Council, Cllr Jake Berriman (centre) and Cllr David Selby, the previous Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys and representative for Newtown Central and South on the council)

Mark Dacey, CEO NPTC Group of Colleges, added: “At NPTC Group of Colleges, we are incredibly excited to be part of a project that truly looks to the future. CymruTech Park is about more than buildings, it is about creating opportunity, inspiring innovation and equipping people with the skills they need to thrive in a modern economy.

“By bringing together education, industry and cutting-edge facilities like the Green Skills Academy, we can help unlock potential, support local ambition and ensure that Mid Wales remains a vibrant, forward-looking place to live, learn and work.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

CymruTech Park and the advanced manufacturing centre are expected to deliver more than 370 jobs and a £82 million boost to the area’s output.